Royal Pelargonium is one of the most beautiful plants that can be grown at home. It is mistakenly called geranium : in pelargonium, there are usually three large lower petals and two upper petals, and in geraniums all five petals of the same size. Knowingly Pelargonium called royal: its flowers reach a diameter of 15 cm and differ not only in unusual beauty, but also in color (red flowers, pink, white, purple and burgundy). In order to be able to observe the flowering of pelargonium, you need to know how to look after the royal pelargonium.
Pelargonium royal: home care
Pelargonium loves good lighting, but it should be protected from direct sunlight. If there is not enough light, then its inflorescence will be shallow. It can be located in any bright place in the apartment with the exception of the northern side.
In winter, due to lack of light, Pelargonium is kept at a low temperature (about 15 degrees). It needs to be put in the light in a cool room, so that the pelargonium rested. If she is not given a rest in winter, she will have stretch shoots, and she will cease to bloom, which in time can lead to the death of the plant.
Cultivation of the royal pelargonium implies a careful attitude to the watering of the plant, since with a strong drying of the soil it will cease to bloom. If the soil is too wet, the pelargonium may begin to ache. For irrigation use the settled water of room temperature. Watering the flower is necessary when the upper earth layer is already drying. In addition, it is necessary to spray the leaves of pelargonium before the beginning of its flowering.
Pelargonium is planted in soddy land, in which peat and sand are added. As additional fertilizers use means that contain less nitrogen.
In spring and summer, the plant is fed once a month.
Royal Pelargonium: Transplant and Reproduction
Pelargonium transplantation should be done once every two to three years. If you do this every year, then its flowering will not be so abundant. The best period for the transplant is spring. In this case, it is necessary to prune the shoots.
To grow pelargonium better in a small pot, where its roots will be a bit cramped.
The first time it is necessary to cut pelargonium in the autumn. It is necessary to remove weak shoots before the onset of winter. In the spring, the dried parts of the plant are usually cut. Pruning is necessary in order for the tips of shoots to grow faster. For a month and a half before flowering pruning is stopped.
Reproduction of pelargonium is carried out by cuttings in spring or at the end of summer. How to propagate the royal pelargonium is described below.
- It is necessary to cut cuttings 8-10 cm long. Before planting, they need to be knitted a little for four hours. Then cuttings are planted in a pot or a small container containing a mixture of sand and peat in equal proportions.
- To maintain the optimum moisture level, the pot with cuttings is covered with a plastic bag.
- Always keep the soil moist.
- After the cuttings are finally rooted, they are transplanted into a pre-prepared mixture consisting of leaf, turf and sand.
Diseases of the Pelargonium Royal
Pelargonium is rarely sick. But there are a number of diseases to which it is exposed:
- black stalk rot;
- gray spots on leaves and flowers;
- rust;
- viral diseases;
- defeat by the nematode;
- dropsy.
If the royal pelargonium grows at home and you notice that its lower leaves turn yellow, this may be the result of a lack of moisture or a prolonged exposure to the plant in direct sunlight.
How to make the royal pelargonium blossom?
In order for the royal pelargonium to begin to blossom, a number of actions can be taken:
- create conditions for a cool wintering: maintain the temperature of the environment at a level of 5-10 degrees;
- provide good lighting;
- in the spring, trim to stimulate flowering.
Why does not the royal pelargonium blossom?
Pelargonium can not be laid buds, if in winter it does not have enough light and the ambient temperature is above 15 degrees.
Despite the difficulties of care for the royal pelargonium, she will please you with her flowers of extraordinary beauty.